Unnati Shah, Ph.D.
Biography
Dr. Unnati Shah is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Utica University. She earned her Ph.D. from S.V. National Institute of Technology in 2022, where her dissertation introduced novel methods for detecting and managing ambiguities and conflicts in software requirements. Her research focuses on AI-driven requirements engineering, leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs) and advanced natural language processing to improve clarity, detect conflicts, and enhance precision in complex software systems. She has published extensively in top venues, including REFSQ, a leading international conference on requirements engineering, Procedia Computer Science (Elsevier), Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, and ACM SIGSOFT Software Engineering Notes.
Dr. Shah applies AI in her courses and assessments to promote transparency, equity, and accountability in education, exemplified by her work on Document, Verify, Explain: A Transparent Accountability Framework for Equitable Generative AI Use in Computer Science Education. She has been recognized with multiple honors, including the Harold T. Clark, Jr. Award for Research (Utica University, 2025), Excellence in Research & Higher Education Award (C.K. Pithawala College of Engineering and Technology, 2026), Best Reviewer Award (JENRS, 2024), and Elite & Silver distinctions in NPTEL Software Engineering (IIT Kharagpur, 2020). She is a certified AWS Academy Educator, a Cisco Networking Academy Instructor, and holds a Responsible Conduct of Research certification (CITI Program, 2024–2027).
Dr. Shah actively mentors undergraduate and graduate students in Computer Science, Software Engineering, and interdisciplinary programs. She supports students through independent studies, senior projects, conference publications, and industry-partnered research, including initiatives applying AI to healthcare challenges, generative AI in education, and advanced software engineering problems.
Beyond academia, Dr. Shah holds a B.A. in Indian classical dance (Bharatanatyam), enjoys singing and writing poetry, and leads student workshops on resilience, lifelong learning, and personal growth, inspired by her late grandmother, Praffulla Asarawala.
Opportunities for Student Research and Collaboration
Dr. Shah offers year-round opportunities for motivated students to engage in applied research across Artificial Intelligence, Software Requirements Engineering, Cybersecurity, Data-Driven Systems, and healthcare AI applications. Students collaborate on independent studies, senior projects, conference papers, and industry-partnered initiatives. Summer research positions are also available. Students interested in advancing practical AI applications, exploring software engineering research, or participating in interdisciplinary projects are encouraged to get involved.
Education
- Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering, S. V. National Institute of Technology, India
- M. Tech. in Computer Engineering, S. V. National Institute of Technology, India
- B.E. in Computer Engineering, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, India
- B.A. in Dance, Indian Classical Dance (Visharad in Bharatanatyam), India
- Certificate in Hindi Language Literature (Kovid Exam), India
Research
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Faculty–Student Research & Publications
- John Hrustich, Christopher Rawlins, Kate Vaughan.Beneath the Surface: Cybersecurity in the Human Body.
- 2nd Prize, Faculty–Student Project Showcase, SUNY Polytechnic Institute
- 3rd Prize, Undergraduate Poster Competition, CCSCNE 2025
- Colin Zouck, Unnati Shah. Apache Sudoku: A Web-Based Game for Learning and Demonstrating Web Development Concepts.Demo & Applied Computing Paper. CCSCNE 2026
- Makayla Coleman, Unnati Shah. ConnectPlus: A Full-Stack Collaboration Tool for Academic and Team Projects. Demo & Applied Computing Paper. CCSCNE 2026
- Aryan K. C., Unnati Shah. Multi-Level Software Requirements Classification: Assessing BERT Variants and Hybrid Models.Graduate Research paper. 37th International Conference on Software Engineering and Knowledge Engineering (SEKE) 2025
- Vonnie Magnusen, Patrick Penna, Unnati Shah. VulneraX: Drift-Aware Time-Series Forecasting for Software Vulnerability Risks. Undergraduate Poster. CCSCNE 2026
- Patrick Penna, Connor Pirkl, Unnati Shah. Sustainable Networking: Energy-Efficient Routing for a Greener Internet. Undergraduate Poster. CCSCNE 2026
- Nathaniel Illingsworth, Alexander Gomez, Unnati Shah. Smart Traffic Routing Using AI and Software-Defined Networking. Undergraduate Poster. CCSCNE 2026
- Alan Catic, Colin Zouck, Unnati Shah. Personalized Interactive Calendar Program. Undergraduate Poster. CCSCNE 2026
- Revati Nasikkar, Unnati Shah. Technical but Tongue-Tied? Helping Data Professionals Present Insights with Confidence.Graduate Poster. NYCWiC 2026
- Karamjit Kaur, Unnati Shah. Data-Driven Quality Assurance for Defect Tracking in Semiconductor Manufacturing. Graduate Poster. NYCWiC 2026
- Kate Vaughan, Makayla Coleman, Unnati Shah. Scaling Memcached: Improving Cache Failures. Undergraduate Poster. CCSCNE 2025
- Savior Wah, Nathaniel Baumes, John Kim, Unnati Shah. Enhancing Real-Time Object Detection with Semi-Supervised Learning in Plants vs. Zombies. Undergraduate Poster. CCSCNE 2025
- John Hrustich, Christopher Rawlins, Kate Vaughan, Unnati Shah. Cryptography in the Quantum Era. Undergraduate Poster. CCSCNE 2025
Independent Studies (CSC 390)
- Vonnie Magnusen. Predictive Risk Forecasting for Cybersecurity (VulneraX), Industry collaboration with DataEQ Consulting, Spring 2026
- Makayla Coleman. Optimizing Full-Stack Web Applications Using Machine Learning for Performance Enhancement, Fall 2025
- Belier Javier. Machine Learning Approaches for Software Requirements Classification (Unsupervised), Fall 2024
- Gillian Flihan. Machine Learning Approaches for Software Requirements Classification (Supervised), Fall 2024
- Saban Melkic. AI Track Navigator, Spring 2024
Programming Contest Mentorship
Dr. Shah has led and mentored undergraduate student teams in regional programming contests, emphasizing collaboration, problem-solving, and applied computing skills.
- CCSCNE 2026
- Alexander Gomez (CS), Gavin Magill (Math), Ju Mi La (Math)
- Patrick Penna (Cyber), Vonnie Magnusen (CS)
- CCSCNE 2025
- John Hrustich (Cyber), Christopher Rawlins (CS), Gavin Magill (Math) - 4th place out of 20 teams
- Savior Wah, Nathaniel Baumes (CS)
Ph.D. Students
- Krupa Patel. Investigation of Transformer-Based Approaches for Automated Identification and Classification of Non-Functional Requirements (2022–present)
Courses Taught
CSC 698: Project
CSC 635: Data Science for Software Development
CSC 432: Computer and Network Security
CSC 425: Operating System Concepts
CSC 325: Programming Languages
CSC 323: Introduction to Networks
CSC 102: Computer Science– II
CSC 101: Computer Science – I
CSC 117: Microcomputers and Application Software
Before joining Utica University, Dr. Shah taught a range of undergraduate courses in Computer Science and Engineering at institutions in India, including C.K. Pithawala College of Engineering and Technology (2008-2022), Bhagwan Mahavir College of Engineering and Technology (2008), and Bhagwan Mahavir Polytechnic (2007). Courses included Software Engineering, Computer Graphics, Computer Networks, Compiler Design, Information Security, System Software, Natural Language Processing, Information Retrieval, Operating Systems, Programming for Problem Solving, Computer Organization & Architecture, Design Engineering, Object-Oriented Analysis and Design, Projects, Internships, and Integrated Personality Development.
Awards and Recognition
Research & Scholarship
- Excellence in Research & Higher Education Award (Alumni). C.K. Pithawala College of Engineering and Technology, India. 2026
- Harold T. Clark, Jr. Award for Distinguished Scholarship & Professional Accomplishment. Utica University. 2025
- AA Grade (10/10) for M.Tech. Thesis: Resolving Ambiguity in Natural Language Specification to Generate UML Diagrams for Requirements Specifications. 2013
Professional Service & Recognition
- Best Reviewer Award. Journal of Engineering Research and Sciences (JENRS). 2024
Teaching & Educational Initiatives
- 1st Place, International Faculty Development Program on Environment and Sustainability, for creating a YouTube video on E-Waste Management in India. 2020
- Elite & Silver Distinctions, NPTEL Software Engineering, NPTEL & IIT Kharagpur. 2020
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